Love thy neighbor

Vinemont distributes COVID-19 care packages to town residents

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Vinemont Councilman Chris Thompson, left, and resident Chris Garcia, right (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)

VINEMONT, Ala. – Vinemont residents began receiving holiday gift packages Friday afternoon to help them stay safe from COVID-19. Mayor Radginal Dodson and members of the town council began going door-to-door distributing masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to every household in town.

The mayor and council made the decision to use a portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) money the Town received to purchase the items.

“This is from money that we got for the protection of our folks inside our town,” said Dodson. “A lot of times these things are not available even at the store. That’s the reason this idea came up because of the availability of these things. We tried to get gloves, but you can forget buying gloves, period.”

Dodson said Town Clerk Kayecea Sasser attempted to purchase gloves from multiple places including state and federal sources but was unable to find them.

The Tribune tagged along with Councilman Chris Thompson Friday afternoon as he delivered the packages. He, along with Councilwoman Sonya Copeland, spent several hours making deliveries. They will go out again Monday to visit those residences they didn’t get to Friday.

Thompson said he is excited to be able to help and get out in the community.

“I think this is a great thing and a smart way to make sure each person in our town benefits from the CARES money,” he smiled.

The residents Thompson talked to along the way seemed to think so, too. Each person smiled and thanked the Town for the surprise. Only one resident on his route turned down the items, but for a good reason- he had enough supplies and said he wanted to make sure there was plenty for those who needed it more.

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Vinemont Mayor Radginal Dodson and Councilman Chris Thompson (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
Vinemont Councilman Chris Thompson and Jerry Smith (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)